This program is designed to provide hands-on, education training on Laparoendoscopic Single-Site Surgery (LESS).  Participants will advance their laparoendoscopic skills, and apply these skills to perform more advanced surgeries in their practices.   Participants will directly interact with the faculty, view live surgeries, and view and discuss cases.  In addition, participants will perform live tissue LESS Surgery in the USF Health Simulation Center at Tampa General Hospital.    An opportunity to perform Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) using robotics simulation is also available.

Applying the latest in surgical technology and techniques may lead to better patient outcomes.  LESS requires only one tiny laparoscopic incision, typically in the navel, instead of several incisions spaced throughout the abdomen. Physicians say fewer incisions mean quicker recovery time, less pain, less scarring and less risk for bleeding and infections.

“With LESS, we can still do a lot of surgery while significantly minimizing the insult of surgery inside and outside the body,” says Dr. Alexander Rosemurgy, Professor of surgery, Associate Dean of Simulation and Academic Enrichment at the USF College of Medicine, and Surgical Director of the Center for Digestive Disorders at TGH.
“Advances in surgical technology, including miniaturization of devices, has helped make all this feasible,” says Dr. Sharona Ross, Assistant Professor of Surgery and Director of Surgical Endoscopy.   “Performing LESS surgery requires advanced laparoscopic skills and represents the new frontier of minimally invasive surgery.  Laparoscopic surgeons must be trained to operate through a single incision with the scope and instruments working in parallel.”

This program provides and opportunity to learn and practice using LESS in a non-threatening environment designed to improve the knowledge, competence, and skills of the practicing general surgeon.

Laparoscopic surgeons interested in learning the latest in surgical techniques and technology.

Upon completion of this program, participants will be able to:

• Discuss the benefits and challenges related to Laparoendoscopic Single-Site Surgery (LESS) and other less invasive surgeries
• Describe the use and importance of the latest surgical instruments and optics
• Implement changes and improvements in surgical practice based on clinical evidence and case studies
• Improve surgical skills by using surgical simulation with animal tissue
• Properly screen patients to determine the best surgical option that will result in the best patient outcome.

Physicians:  USF Health e is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. USF Health designates this educational activity for a maximum of 12.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Please notify the CPD Office, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC Box 60, Tampa, Florida, 33612 or call (813) 974-4296 a minimum of ten working days in advance of the event if a reasonable accommodation for a disability is needed.

Events, activities and facilities of the University of South Florida are available without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, disability, age, or Vietnam veteran status as provided by law and in accordance with the University's respect for personal dignity.